In 1989, the MAB began the tradition of honoring individuals for their outstanding careers with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The highest honor bestowed by the MAB, Lifetime Achievement Award recipients are Michigan broadcast pioneers who have dedicated the majority of their professional careers to broadcasting in the state of Michigan and have distinguished themselves through a lifetime of service as a top manager or owner through excellence in broadcasting in state, national or international industry leadership; service on the MAB, NAB or other industry organizational boards; community involvement; and industry innovation. Click here for the Lifetime Achievement Award nomination form.
2020
Debbie Kenyon
Entercom Detrtoit
2012
Edward K. Christian
Saga Communications
2011
Gary A. Reid
Michigan State University
2010
P. Thomas “Tom” Bryson
WJRT-TV (Flint)
2009
Specs Howard
Specs Howard School of Media Arts
2008
Richard Sommerville
Sommerville Communications Corporation
2007
Ross Biederman
Midwestern Broadcasting Company
2006
John Wismer
Wismer Broadcasting
2005
Alan Frank
Post-Newsweek Stations
2004
Nancy Waters
WCXT-FM (Hart)
2003
Jerry Colvin
LIN Michigan Broadcasting
WOTV-TV (Battle Creek/Kalamazoo)
2002
Lester Biederman
Midwestern Communications
2002
Joe Blake
WZAM-AM/WMQT-FM (Marquette)
2001
Bill Schroeder
Time Life Broadcasting, Inc./
WOOD-AM/FM/TV
(Grand Rapids)
2000
Ken MacDonald, Sr.
MacDonald Broadcasting
1999
Robert G. Liggett, Jr.
Liggett Broadcasting
1998
Verna Green
WJLB-FM/WMXD-FM (Detroit)
1997
Charles “Chuck” Fritz
Fritz Broadcasting
1994
J.P. McCarthy
WJR-AM (Detroit)
1993
James H. Quello
Federal Communications Commission
1992
Ernie Harwell
Detroit Tigers
1991
Michael O. Lareau
WOOD-AM/FM
(Grand Rapids)
1990
Carl E. Lee
Feltzer Broadcasting
1989
George H. Williams
WKBD-TV (Detroit)